Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL for short), instituted a mandate approximately five years ago, outlining the End of Life Standard for Carbon Monoxide Detectors to protect users from the danger of boat operation without accurate means of detecting this potentially deadly gas. The first of this series of Carbon Monoxide Detectors were shipped from Fireboy-Xintex to boat builders, dealers, and retailers in March of 2010, meaning their five-year expiration date is drawing near. We wish to advise you of what to expect with this mandate, and how to proceed to ensure that you and your guests breathe easy during this year, and the next five years to come.
Approximately five years after activation, your Fireboy-Xintex Carbon Monoxide Detector will enter the EOL (End of Life) phase of its existence, beginning at 4 years and 11 months.
There will be both an audible (intermittent beep once every 30 seconds) and visual (green LED will switch to “off,” red LED “on”) component to this alarm. During this initial flagging period, depressing the Test/Silence button on the right side of the detector will silence the alarms for three (3) days at a time. This alarm feature is designed to remind the owner that it is time to replace the detector, before its five-year life span expires. Once the detector has reached its five-year threshold, the detector will shift to an alarm that cannot be manually silenced. At this point, a new Fireboy-Xintex Carbon Monoxide Detector will need to be purchased. According to the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC A-24) Standards and Technical Information for Small Craft, a carbon monoxide detector must be installed on all boats with an enclosed accommodation compartment and a gasoline generator set or inboard gasoline propulsion engine. Detectors shall be located in the main cabin area and each separate sleeping area to constantly monitor the atmosphere. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has also mandated that this be part of their certification process.
Fireboy-Xintex has two models of Carbon Monoxide Detectors available.
Model CMD-4MR-RLY has six wires coming out of the back panel and model CMD-4MR has two wires coming out of the back panel. See the photo above for easy identification of your carbon monoxide detector. If you would like to locate the age of your Carbon Monoxide Detector, there are manufacture dates and End of Life dates printed on a label attached to the underside of the front cover. An additional label may be located on the blue horn on the circuit board. See photos below.
To open the front cover (see enclosed diagrams), push in from bottom and the cover should release. Replacement circuit boards are available, and can be installed by removing the molded Molex connector, and sliding it onto the new circuit board. If replacing the circuit board, the old cover must be replaced with a new one, in addition to the board. In accordance with safety standards, there is no way to remove the EOL alarm, or prevent it from sounding during this cycle. Full installation instructions will be supplied with current replacement units. The back panel may either be replaced, or used with the new detector.
Now is also a good time to check the expiration dates on your flares and charge on your fire extinguisher.
